Severance and Contracts Attorneys Serving La Cañada Flintridge
Protecting La Cañada Flintridge workers' rights. No attorney's fees or case costs unless we win.
What happens if your employer offers a severance agreement in La Cañada Flintridge?
If your employer in La Cañada Flintridge offers a severance agreement, you should not sign it immediately. These agreements often include clauses that waive your rights to future claims in exchange for compensation. Taking the agreement to an attorney for review helps you understand what you are signing away.
Severance packages are designed to benefit the employer as much as they benefit the employee. They frequently contain provisions like non-compete clauses, non-solicitation clauses, and confidentiality agreements that can limit your future employment opportunities or speech. An attorney can explain these terms, negotiate for better conditions, and ensure the offer complies with California employment law. Sometimes, an employer offers a severance agreement because they know they have violated your rights, and they want to prevent you from filing a claim.
What kinds of agreements do severance and contracts attorneys handle?
Severance and contracts attorneys assist with various employment-related agreements beyond just severance packages. They review and negotiate employment contracts, ensuring fair terms regarding salary, benefits, duties, and termination conditions. This includes agreements for executives and professionals, which often have complex compensation structures and restrictive covenants.
Attorneys also handle non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and non-compete clauses, advising you on their enforceability and potential impact on your career. These agreements can prevent you from working for competitors or using specialized knowledge gained during your employment. If you are starting a new job, an attorney can help you understand the fine print of your new employment offer, protecting your interests before you commit. We focus on California employment law.
Where is a severance or contract dispute claim filed in La Cañada Flintridge?
A severance or contract dispute claim originating in La Cañada Flintridge is generally filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Under Local Rule 2.3 and the General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases, these cases are assigned to a Personal Injury Hub department. The appropriate courthouse for an incident in La Cañada Flintridge is the Burbank Courthouse, located at 300 E Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91502.
While contract claims against private employers usually go through civil court, claims against public entities like the city of La Cañada Flintridge or Los Angeles County have specific initial requirements. Before you can file a lawsuit, you must first present a written claim to the public entity. This step is mandatory before a civil complaint can be filed, and strict deadlines apply. For private employers, complaints are filed directly with the court.
How long do you have to pursue a severance or contract claim?
The deadline to pursue a severance or contract claim depends on the specific facts. Most California personal injury claims, including those involving wrongful termination that might lead to a severance dispute, must be filed within two years (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). However, if your claim is against a city, county, or other public agency, you must present a written claim within six months (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2) of the incident before you can file a lawsuit.
There are exceptions to these deadlines. For example, the deadline is generally paused while an injured person is a minor under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352. However, this pause does not apply to claims against public entities. Consulting with an attorney helps confirm the specific deadline that applies to your situation, as missing it can permanently bar your claim.
What steps should you take if you receive a severance offer?
If you receive a severance offer in La Cañada Flintridge, take these steps:
Do Not Sign Anything: Refrain from signing any documents, including the severance agreement itself, a release of claims, or any other paperwork your employer presents. You have the right to review the document and seek legal advice.
Gather Your Employment Documents: Collect all relevant papers, including your original employment contract, offer letter, performance reviews, disciplinary notices, and any communications regarding your termination or severance.
Make Notes: Write down any details about your employment, reasons for termination, and circumstances surrounding the severance offer. Include names, dates, and specific conversations.
Contact an Attorney: Seek legal counsel from a firm experienced in severance and contracts. An attorney can review the agreement, advise you on your rights, and negotiate on your behalf. Our team serves clients across Los Angeles County, including those in La Cañada Flintridge.
Understand Your Rights: An attorney will help you understand if the severance offer is fair, if you have potential claims against your employer (such as for discrimination or retaliation), and what compensation you might be giving up. This may involve exploring your rights if you believe you were wrongfully terminated.
What does working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involve?
Working with Casa Legal Los Angeles means having an advocate on your side for your employment and contract matters. We start by listening to your story and carefully reviewing the documents you have. We explain your options clearly and help you understand the terms of any agreement presented to you. Our focus is on protecting your rights and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
We handle the negotiations with your employer, aiming for the best possible outcome without you having to deal with the stress directly. We represent workers across Los Angeles, including those in Carson and Alhambra. We also work on complex employment issues, such as those covered under employment law, including executive employment issues and retaliation claims. We manage all the legal processes, allowing you to focus on moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of a severance agreement?
A severance agreement's purpose is typically to provide an employee with compensation and benefits after their employment ends, in exchange for the employee agreeing not to sue the employer for any claims related to their employment or termination. It helps employers avoid future litigation.
Can my employer force me to sign a severance agreement?
No, your employer cannot force you to sign a severance agreement. You have the right to review the agreement and consult with an attorney before making a decision. Federal law, specifically the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA), gives employees over 40 at least 21 days to consider signing a severance agreement.
What if a severance agreement contains a non-compete clause?
If a severance agreement contains a non-compete clause, an attorney can advise you on its enforceability. In California, non-compete clauses are largely unenforceable except in very limited circumstances, such as in connection with the sale of a business (Bus. & Prof. Code § 16600). An attorney can help you understand if your specific non-compete clause is valid.
Does a severance agreement waive all my rights?
A severance agreement often requires you to waive many of your legal rights against your employer, but it does not waive all of them. For instance, you cannot waive your right to file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or similar state agencies. However, it can prevent you from recovering money in a lawsuit based on claims you waive. An attorney reviews the document to identify exactly what rights you are giving up.
If you are dealing with a severance offer or an employment contract issue in La Cañada Flintridge, we are here to help. Call Casa Legal Los Angeles at 888-585-2529 for a consultation. No attorney's fees unless we win—and no case costs either.
Serving La Cañada Flintridge
Our attorneys represent clients throughout La Cañada Flintridge and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a La Cañada Flintridge claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in La Cañada Flintridge is filed in Burbank Courthouse, North Central District of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles County a personal injury case is filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred and is assigned to that district's Personal Injury Hub department (LASC Local Rule 2.3; General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases, effective May 17, 2024).
Catchment boundaries change. Confirm the filing courthouse on the court's official locator before relying on it.
Source: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles — Local Rules, Chapter 2 (verified August 23, 2026).
Deadlines that apply in La Cañada Flintridge
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in La Cañada Flintridge (Los Angeles County) come from state statute, not a local rule. These are the deadlines cited most often.
2 years — personal injury lawsuit
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 — two years from the date of injury for most personal injury and wrongful death claims.
6 months — claim against a public entity
Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2 — a written claim must be presented to the public entity within six months for claims involving death or injury to person or personal property, before a lawsuit may be filed.
Injured minors
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352 — the limitations period is generally tolled while the injured person is a minor, but the six-month government claim deadline is not tolled the same way.
This is general information about California law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deadlines change with the facts and with who the defendant is — a claim against a city, county, transit agency, or the state triggers a much shorter deadline, and delayed discovery, tolling, and other exceptions apply. Casa Legal Los Angeles is licensed to practice in California. Confirm any deadline with an attorney.
Sources: California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1; California Government Code § 911.2 (verified August 23, 2026).